See those markings on the tyre sidewall? Ever wondered what they mean? Well, they are shorthand for a veritable wealth of information. The tyre model name is present and correct, obviously, but that’s just the start. There’s also a sequence of numbers detailing the load index, speed rating, tyre size, construction and much more besides.

So, why exactly are these markings so important? This information is necessary when the time comes to fit your wheels with replacement tyres. Every driver wants to maintain optimal safety and performance when buying new tyres; understanding the sidewall markings is an effective way of achieving exactly that.

Let’s start with the following sequence of tyre markings as an example: 225/45 R 18 95 H

Tyre width

The first number to appear in the sequence is “225”. This number is the nominal width of the tyre (in millimetres) from one sidewall to the other.

Aspect ratio

Following the slash, the next number in the sequence is “45”. This number is the tyre’s aspect ratio – essentially the height of the tyre’s profile outward from the rim represented as a percentage of the tyre’s width. We calculate this number by dividing the tyre’s section height by the tyre’s section width. So, if a tyre has an aspect ratio of 45, that means the tyre’s height is 45% of its width.

Construction

Next in our series of tyre markings is a letter instead of a number. This letter indicates the type of construction used within the casing of the tyre, which in our example is “R” for Radial construction. Other examples are “B” for Bias-ply or “D” for Diagonal construction.

Radial tyres are the most common tyres on the road today. They’re called radial because the tyre’s internal ply cords are orientated in a radial direction, from one bead over to the other, at right angles to the direction of the tyre’s rotation.

Rim diameter

The number “18” in our example represents the diameter of the wheel rim in inches.

Load index

The number after the rim diameter represents the load index. In our example, “95” is a code for the maximum load a tyre can support when fully inflated. Passenger tyres have load indices spanning from 75 to 105, where each numeric value corresponds to a specific load capacity. The carrying capacity for each value is described in a load index chart in your vehicle or tyre documentation.

Speed rating

Last in our sequence, we come to the speed rating. Letters ranging from A to Z represent the speed rating. Each letter denotes the maximum speed a tyre can sustain under its recommended load capacity. In our example, “H” is equivalent to a maximum speed of 130 mph (209 kph). Even though a tyre is capable of performing at this speed, drivers should not exceed legal speed limits.

Additional markings

After this sequence of information, other letters and symbols may also be present on the sidewall.

In our example, they denote the following:

7. Self-Supporting Run-flat tyre   

8. Mercedes Original Equipment key   

9. Suitable for mud and snow conditions

10. Compliant with Department of Transport vehicle safety standards

11. Week of manufacture

12. Year of manufacture

We hope you found this useful information. We love all things tyres, even the boring stuff. If you need tyres in Leeds, be sure to get in-touch for a competitive quote.

Every year do you find yourself dreading driving in the colder months? When you wake up on those frosty, slippy or snowy days and know you have to get to work, do the school run etc but you just know it will be more like going car ice-skating and anxiety overcomes you! When you see those smug people in their four wheel drive cars sailing past like it was summer and you wish you just had a car that you could even reverse out of the drive in!

Well, there is a solution to better performance in the winter months without changing your car. Get some winter tyres fitted?

When should you switch from summer to winter tyres?

Some people believe that winter tyres should be fitted when the weather has already become colder, snow is falling etc, however this is not the best time. Winter tyres are not solely fitted to keep your car on the road when it is snowy, they are also fitted to provide the best traction when the temperature drops below 7°C.

Summer Tyres are designed for warmer weather, to provide the best handling and traction in the warmer months of the year, helping you with efficient fuel consumption and minimum noise when driving. Therefore when the temperature falls, the rubber the summer tyre is made from becomes harder and the tread, which is designed to remove the water, starts to lose its functionality. Therefore on wet surfaces, this means that the car loses traction, and in the colder months this is the last thing you want/need!

Winter tyres however are made of soft rubber and this does not harden so easily. They also have a specially designed tread pattern whereby the water and the snow don’t get stuck in the tyre tread, even at lower temperatures.

Which Months are the best to changeover to Winter Tyres?

September or October or later?

Well we are now in November and perhaps you just haven’t gotten around to fitting winter tyres on your car just yet. So far the temperatures have been relatively mild, however you can feel it becoming colder. So ideally, the best months for changeover to winter tyres are September and October. In September and October, days are not likely to be colder than 7°C. However, it is always better to be prepared for sudden drops in temperature so you shouldn’t change tyres last minute.

At this temperature, you will be much safer if you drive with your winter tyres on. Also if it’s 15°C, both winter tyres and summer tyres will offer the same performance.

So, if enhanced safety has not convinced you, maybe cost will: if you get on with it early, you will have more time to shop around to get the best winter tyres for your car at the best price. Most tyre dealers will remove your summer tyres for you and fit the winter ones. Some of the larger tyre dealers will also store the summer tyres for you until you need them re-fitting again in the spring.

When should you change from winter to summer tyres?

Ideally it is best to fit your summer tyres in the Spring. When the daytime temperature is increasing and has reached 14°C. Easter can be hit and miss weather wise in the UK. Sometimes it is hot and other times we have had snow. In 2018 Easter was very snowy and you would have kicked yourself had you swapped your winter tyres back to summer before Easter. Therefore we would recommend waiting until May to swap back to summer tyres when the weather is likely to be more predictable.

When do tyres need replacement because of tread wear?

When you change your tyres it is good practice to inspect the condition of the tyres you are removing. There is no point in storing worn and dangerous tyres if they need replacing. If you are changing over to winter tyres, do make sure in spring you will still be able to use the summer ones.

If you do this it will give you enough time to buy new ones at a better price if you need them; generally winter tyres can be cheaper in spring and summer tyres can be cheaper in autumn.

How do you know if tyres are not legal?

You should check is the depth of the tread. The minimum tread depth allowed in winter tyres is 1.6 mm. You can do the 20p coin check. This test requires placing a twenty pence coin in the main tread channels in different parts of the tyre. When you do this if you can see the outer band of the coin face, this means the tyre tread is too low and likely to be illegal. Most reputable tyre dealers will carry out a free safety check on your tyres so this is always the best option.

Part Worn, Used Tyres – Saving or a False Economy?

You should also not use tyres that are more than ten years old and this can be a danger and a false economy when buying used or part worn tyres.

Did you know that you can check the manufacturing date of the tyre; if you see the “DOT” followed by some digits, the last 4 of them will be the week and year when the tyre was manufactured. For example, 2813 means that the tyre was manufactured in the 28^th week of the year 2013.

If you would like a quote on winter tyres in Leeds, or surrounding areas, we can help. Search by your vehicle registration on our website and get an instant quote, then you can order and we will fit the winter tyres for you.

Performance Tyres Leeds are 100% committed to helping UK drivers make informed choices when buying their tyres. It can be confusing, with tyre prices ranging significantly. How do you know whether the tyre you opt to buy is safe and will last? Would buying a part worn or used branded tyre be better than buying a new budget tyre? Well our answer to that is no. We don’t believe that used tyres are a good option to buy as you don’t know the history of that tyre. This has also been backed up in a recent survey by TyreSafe where it was found that 98% of part worn tyres in the survey were deemed to be sold illegally. In addition 34% of tyres being offered for sale had dangerous, potentially life-threatening, defects.

Tyre Safety is a subject that is very important to us at Performance Tyres. We are passionate about tyre safety and ensuring that we supply and fit tyres that are safe, roadworthy and when a customer leaves our fitting bay, we are 100% happy that everything is as it should be.

Therefore Performance Tyres Leeds are excited to announce that we are now an official supporter of TyreSafe.

TyreSafe is the UK’s charity dedicated to raising awareness of the importance of correct tyre maintenance and the dangers of defective and illegal tyres. It was formed in 2006 to reduce the number of tyre-related incidents on Britain’s roads through raising awareness of the importance of tyre maintenance and the dangers of defective & illegal tyres. Supporters of TyreSafe include major tyre manufacturers, tyre retailers and wholesalers, vehicle manufacturers and government organisations such as Highways England, RoadSafe, police forces, fire services, councils and many other bodies.

Since its inception, TyreSafe’s activities have helped reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured each year in a tyre related accident by 46%, which is incredible. Performance Tyres Leeds are proud to support such a fantastic charity promoting the message of tyre safety and we will look forward to sharing key TyreSafe messages in 2019.

There has been debate around Winter Tyres these last few years. We have had some recent very cold winters with lots of snow in the UK and this raised the question for some as to whether it is worth investing in a set of winter tyres!

So, what are the facts surrounding winter tyres and are they worth the cost? Or would your existing tyres be just as good in the cold weather? We will explain…

What is a Winter Tyre?

Winter tyres can be identified by a 3 peak mountain & snowflake symbol embossed on the sidewall of the tyre and they’re made from a softer compound rubber meaning that they are soft enough to provide the grip you need in temperatures below 7^oC.  They have a different tread pattern, with finer grooves (sipes) cut into each tread block that grip the snow.

What are the other types of tyres available?

Firstly there is the summer tyre and this is what the majority of UK drivers use, known as your normal tyres.

By comparison to winter tyres; the summer tyre has a relatively hard rubber compound, which means it will soften off in milder temperatures to provide lots of grip time, above 7^oC.

This makes them less useful when the temperature drops below that figure, when they’re too hard and can’t provide enough grip, which is where winter tyres work the best.

Then between winter & summer tyres you have the ‘all-season tyre’. The point of this tyre is to offer the best of both worlds; a softer compound than the winter tyre so that it can be used in both cold and mild temperatures, but still featuring the finer grooves cut into each tread block that grip the snow and slush. The All Season Tyre is said to be useful down to -5^oC.

Confused?

So why not just buy All Season Tyres? All-season tyres should be most suited for use in the UK, as it is rated best for use in the sorts of temperatures we face throughout the vast majority of the year.

It has been said though that all season tyre, while it’s better in colder temperatures than the summer tyre, and vice versa, it not as effective as having two specialist tyres (summer and winter) and switching between them in the appropriate season.

I suppose the debate centres around how much of the season you think you’ll spend driving at temperatures beneath 7^oC. If you think that you will be driving below that temperature for the majority of the winter, then it makes sense to invest in a separate set of winter tyres and change them over in October and March.

Are winter tyres just good for snow & icy conditions?

No they are not, actually research has suggested that winter tyres are better than summer tyres anytime the temperature drops below 7^oC.

This means a car that is fitted with winter tyres should stop faster and be less likely to skid in any weather conditions if the temperature drops below 7^oC.

How much do Winter Tyres cost?

Winter tyres are slightly more expensive than summer tyres to buy. It is worth bearing in mind that even though you have invested in 2 sets of tyres, they will also last twice as long. Some tyre dealers will store your tyres for you and then change them over when the time is right. It is worth checking with your tyre dealer.

I have a four-wheel drive so do I need winter tyres?

It’s true that four-wheel drive vehicles have better traction in snow and icy conditions. This means moving off is easier in the ice and snow however, it only supplies a limited amount of extra help when you’re turning a corner, and none at all when you are stopping.

If you have a 4×4, though, and fit it with winter tyres, you’re giving yourself the best chance of coping with whatever the winter weather throws at you.

Should I buy winter tyres and leave them on all year?

You could do this but its not something that is recommended. As we have said above, in temperatures above 7^oC, the softer tyre compound gives the same effect as running summer tyres in winter conditions – that is to say, longer stopping distances and a heightened tendency for skidding when taking corners etc.

What’s more, winter tyres wear down more quickly in higher temperatures, which means you’ll end up having to replace your tyres more frequently so its not advised.

Is it a legal requirement to fit winter tyres?

No, In the UK, there isn’t a legal requirement to fit winter tyres, and there are currently no plans to introduce this. However, in some countries with harsher winters than ours, that’s not the case.

So hopefully that has explained what winter tyres are, how and why they are used and the differences between the 3 tyre types. Now you have the information to decide if buying winter tyres would be a good investment for you.

Need tyres in Leeds or surrounding areas? Call us for a free quote or get a tyre quote online

Safe tyres are important for road safety. Did you know that defective tyres cause 1,075 ACCIDENTS each year?

ARE YOUR TYRES
A) Legal & Safe?
B) Illegal & Unsafe?

We will tell you for free! Take advantage of our FREE tyre safety check.

If stopped, a tyre with less than 1.6mm tread can result in a £2500 FINE and 3 POINTS PER TYRE!

According to TyreSafe.org, tyre issues have significantly contributed to road accidents in the last five years in the UK, especially when compared to the statistics of other accidents, such as those caused by mobile phone use (651) and braking (1,052).

Read more at: https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/…/defective-tyres-ca…

Need tyres in Leeds. We can help. Check prices online or give us a call on 0113 2188 777

Almost one quarter (24%) of drivers have never thought to check their tyre tread depth – while another 45% have admitted to not checking it in the last 6 months.

This statistic is taken from research recently released by Hankook Tyres, which found that also 4 out of 5 motorists are not aware of the minimum legal depth of tyre tread!

This month is Tyre Safety Month, designed to raise awareness of tyre safety among motorists. Drivers are being warned that if they drive with tyre tread below 1.6mm, if stopped by the police this could result in a fine of up to £2500 and 3 penalty points PER TYRE. If you have 4 bald tyres, you can do the maths and realise you have a big problem on your hands. Worn tyres are also very dangerous, increasing stopping distance & there is a high risk of losing grip in on wet roads.

Younger drivers are less likely to be aware of the 20p test for checking their car tyres, Hankooks survey also revealed. This test requires placing a twenty pence coin in the main tread channels in different parts of the tyre. When you do this if you can see the outer band of the coin face, this means the tyre tread is too low and likely to be illegal.

More alarming news was that only 47% of drivers said they would replace their tyres as soon as they reach the minimum legal tread depth – and 14% said they would only consider buying new tyres if they had a puncture or if their tyre was flat.

Drivers are also unaware of the meaning of the code on the side of their tyres which reveals the size of the tyre, while almost half (45%) of younger drivers would consider buying part-worn tyres even though they were not aware of the tyre history or how safe they are compared to new tyres.

This month it is National Tyre Safety Month. In support of this we would like to raise local awareness of our free tyre safety check. If you need tyres in Leeds, or just want advice relating to how safe your tyres are, we are always on-hand to help and advise.

Tyres overheating

Cars are more vulnerable to problems in extreme heat – and this week in particular drivers should be careful.
In high temperatures such as these, the air inside your tyres will expand and affect the pressure which could lead to a blowout. The heat can cause the rubber of a tyre to disintegrate too, so be sure to check the condition of your tyres – damage, wearing and pressure – especially before heading out on a long road trip.

Is your engine fluid topped up?

The hot temperature also affects temperature of the fluids inside your engine.

Oil & coolant are essential for cooling down your engine and keeping it running when it’s being pushed to the extreme. Check your levels before embarking on a journey and top up when needed.

Park in the shade & take care of your car battery

Car batteries are made of acid & water & the water will evaporate faster than the acid in hot temperatures, leaving lead plates bare. Park your car in the shade to prevent levels from depleting.

Buy a sun shade for your car

Its awful when you get back into you car on a boiling hot day and get burned by the seats or steering wheel isn’t it?A reflective sun shade for the windscreen will help prevent the car from getting too hot inside and burning your butt! Sun shades are also useful for passenger seats and can protect your child from glare of on long car journeys.

Remember your emergency kit

As with any long car journey you should always remember to travel with a well-stocked emergency kit, especially in extreme weather conditions.

For a free tyre safety check in Leeds or new tyres in Leeds pay us a visit…